Cross-country skier Alvar Myhlback on his big weakness: “I’m incredibly bad”

Swedish long‑distance talent Alvar Myhlback will debut in the Tour de Ski with increased attention after shaking up the traditional cross‑country ranks this season. Speaking to SVT Sport, the 19‑year‑old said his current form is uncertain: “Form goes up and down and it’s not always on top.”

Half of the six Tour de Ski stages will be contested in classic, Myhlback’s favored technique and the one used in long‑distance marathons he normally targets. The other half are freestyle (skate), which he admits he barely trains: asked how good he is in freestyle, he replied bluntly, “I’m incredibly bad.”

He has not changed his preparation to improve in freestyle ahead of the tour, keeping his focus on long‑distance classic events. Still, Myhlback says he enters with high ambitions and will fight in both skate and classic. He believes the tour can still be fun “if the body kicks into gear,” and in accompanying video he points out who he sees as the best Swede for the overall in the tour.